European sources said that Spanish Deputy Prime Minister Nadia Calviño was chosen today by European Union finance ministers as the first woman to head the European Investment Bank, the bloc’s financial institution.

The selection was made at today’s Ecofin meeting in Brussels, where the “green light” was given to Nadia Calviño’s name, according to European sources, after a vote that included the approval of 18 countries (and 68% of the subscribed capital) of the European Investment Bank’s Board of Governors, which consists of Finance ministers of all European Union countries.

As Lusa had already submitted last September, Portugal supported the candidacy of the Spanish Vice President of the Government and Minister of Economy, Trade and Enterprise.

This, which is today considered one of the highest positions in the European Union institutions, this time attracted the attention of many senior European officials, after it was led for 12 years by the only candidate, the German Werner Hoyer, who served two years and six years. -The period of study was years, and now he is leaving.

This renewed interest in leading the EIB reflects a new page for what is the world’s largest multilateral financial institution by assets and which will be crucial to supporting the EU in its “green” and digital goals.

Werner Hoyer leaves office at the end of the year, so government officials must until then name a successor.

Owned by member states and headquartered in Luxembourg, the European Investment Bank is the Community bloc’s financial institution, which financially supports projects inside and outside the EU aligned with European priorities, such as growth, improving employment, combating climate change and digital transformation.

It currently has private funds of €78 billion, an accounting balance of €544 billion and subscribed capital of €249 billion.

It is up to the President of the EIB to lead decisions such as borrowing and granting of financing, i.e. loans and guarantees.